Marshalls, the national off-price retailer, opened for business in Fort Dodge Thursday morning to warm words from a company official and a crowd of shoppers lined up outside the doors.

District Manager John Jones welcomed the Fort Dodge store team “into the family.”

“You guys have done an awesome job getting ready,” Jones said to a team of approximately 60 full-time and part-time employees, prior to the 8 a.m. public opening.

Fort Dodge Mayor Matt Bemrich spoke briefly, referring to the Corridor of Commerce, which is just blocks away from the new store’s location at 275 S. 29th St.

The 21,000-square-foot space most recently housed a Big Lots store.

Bemrich said improvements to the Corridor have led to the welcome addition of retail businesses and food establishments. Marshalls, he said, was one more example of seeing the “fruits of our labor … of bringing Fort Dodge into the 21st century.”

“Today, standing here with you makes me very proud,” he said, “and Fort Dodge is proud you are in our community.”

Bemrich also congratulated Marshalls on “giving back to the community before you have even made a dollar,” referring to a $5,000 contribution given to representatives from the Domestic/Sexual Assault Outreach Center, before an in-store ribbon cutting.

Marshalls has national and local partnerships with charitable organizations around the country, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

There are more than 960 Marshalls stores in 48 states and Puerto Rico. Merchandise includes designer brand names in women’s fashions, shoes, accessories, men’s apparel, home, juniors, kids apparel and accessories, luggage and beauty products.